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Israel Keeps Watch on Syrian Chemical Weapons

The head of the Israeli air force on Wednesday said his nation is keeping a close eye on the chemical weapons of neighboring Syria and could use armed force if they are diverted to rogue actors, United Press International reported.

Israel and other nations have worried that the Assad government in Syria might use chemical weapons to crush an armed rebellion that began in 2011, or that violent extremists might be able to access some part of the nation's toxic stockpile. There have been signs recently of the Syrian military preparing for possible use of chemical arms, though Damascus says it would never use any such assets it might possess.

"We are prepared to deal with any scenario or threat, including unconventional weapons," Israeli Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel said in a Ynetnews report. This is an issue for the country's decision-makers. We are providing the relevant capabilities, so that if it is decided to use them, we will know how to."

December 20, 2012

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The head of the Israeli air force on Wednesday said his nation is keeping a close eye on the chemical weapons of neighboring Syria and could use armed force if they are diverted to rogue actors, United Press International reported.